Barrick Mining expresses interest in mineral processing industries in Karachi, Gwadar

Barrick Mining’s visiting team told Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday that it was interested in financing mineral-treatment facilities in Karachi and Gwadar, Dawn reported, citing a Prime Minister’s Office statement. Chairman John Thornton led the group at a meeting in Islamabad, where it also welcomed the government’s minerals conference and discussed policy, regulation and infrastructure for developing the sector.

Sharif said Reko Diq could create jobs and skills opportunities in Balochistan, and called it a model for future mining investment. Barrick, the federal government and the Balochistan government jointly own the project. Government and industry sources cited security conditions in Balochistan and tensions in the Middle East as factors behind an expected two-year delay, with production now anticipated in 2030.